Real signs of low milk supply

I keep reading posts about mothers experiencing low milk supply and even though I know some have valid reasons to believe this is their case, I think it would be helpful to point out what are the true signs of a low milk supply. In my case, as long as my lo is gaining weight and the amount of wet and dirty diapers is normal, a low milk supply is the least of my worries. What are your signs and when should you become truly concerned?

I keep reading posts about mothers experiencing low milk supply and even though I know some have valid reasons to believe this is their case, I think it would be helpful to point out what are the true signs of a low milk supply. In my case, as long as my lo is gaining weight and the amount of wet and dirty diapers is normal, a low milk supply is the least of my worries. What are your signs and when should you become truly concerned?

I think a lot of women worry about supply when they have plenty. As long as the baby is gaining and having wet diapers, supply is fine. However, a lot of women really struggle with not knowing how much comes out when they BF.

I think a lot of women worry about supply when they have plenty. As long as the baby is gaining and having wet diapers, supply is fine. However, a lot of women really struggle with not knowing how much comes out when they BF.

I found out the hard way that my supply is low. My baby started losing weight even though he was bfeeding constantly. His pediatrician sent me home with a couple cases of formula and I was heartbroken. I'm doing everything I can to bring supply up and still give him supplementation so he doesn't starve in the meantime. It's easier said than done though. I feel like all I do is pump and nurse, wash equipment, then pump and nurse again. I wish it'd come natural for us.

I found out the hard way that my supply is low. My baby started losing weight even though he was bfeeding constantly. His pediatrician sent me home with a couple cases of formula and I was heartbroken. I'm doing everything I can to bring supply up and still give him supplementation so he doesn't starve in the meantime. It's easier said than done though. I feel like all I do is pump and nurse, wash equipment, then pump and nurse again. I wish it'd come natural for us.

A real low supply is when baby isn't thriving. I found out the hard way too. It was caused by using a nipple shield. He wouldn't latch without it and I almost had to give up bf-ing. I tried one last time and he latched! I then spent 2 weeks working with an LC to build my supply by pumping after each feeding, and doing weight checks on DS. He's doing much better and at 3 mo. 1 wk the dr and LC said I didn't have to bring him back until his 4 mo well visit :)

A real low supply is when baby isn't thriving. I found out the hard way too. It was caused by using a nipple shield. He wouldn't latch without it and I almost had to give up bf-ing. I tried one last time and he latched! I then spent 2 weeks working with an LC to build my supply by pumping after each feeding, and doing weight checks on DS. He's doing much better and at 3 mo. 1 wk the dr and LC said I didn't have to bring him back until his 4 mo well visit :)

Nipple shield does not cause low supply issues in all women FYI. I used one for 12 weeks and worked with an LC throughout. My LC insisted this is a common misconception with moms. My good friend used one for 14 months. No problems with either.

Nipple shield does not cause low supply issues in all women FYI. I used one for 12 weeks and worked with an LC throughout. My LC insisted this is a common misconception with moms. My good friend used one for 14 months. No problems with either.

I had a low supply and my doctor prescribed domperidone. I was suppose to take it 4 times per day but had to cut down to 3 times because I had way to much. I used it for 6 months and never worried if he was getting enough. It's great. It is also prescribed for adoptive mothers that want to nurse.

I had a low supply and my doctor prescribed domperidone. I was suppose to take it 4 times per day but had to cut down to 3 times because I had way to much. I used it for 6 months and never worried if he was getting enough. It's great. It is also prescribed for adoptive mothers that want to nurse.

A couple ideas for upping your supply:
- Fenugreek (herbal supplement, I found it at Whole Foods and MOMs)
- Malta - a malted beverage. I felt like this helped a lot. I drink one a day or every other day.
- power hour of pumping- pump for one hour each night, but not necessarily an hour straight. 10 minutes on, 3 minutes off, repeat for one hour.

A couple ideas for upping your supply:
- Fenugreek (herbal supplement, I found it at Whole Foods and MOMs)
- Malta - a malted beverage. I felt like this helped a lot. I drink one a day or every other day.
- power hour of pumping- pump for one hour each night, but not necessarily an hour straight. 10 minutes on, 3 minutes off, repeat for one hour.

Thanks for posting this, I think it's really important for moms to have the info they need on this topic. I had issues with a good supply but poor latch that caused LO not to get enough from the boob. He was dropping weight very quickly and went days without a poop (as a newborn). Once we corrected the latch he began pooping more frequently and the weight started slowly coming back.

Thanks for posting this, I think it's really important for moms to have the info they need on this topic. I had issues with a good supply but poor latch that caused LO not to get enough from the boob. He was dropping weight very quickly and went days without a poop (as a newborn). Once we corrected the latch he began pooping more frequently and the weight started slowly coming back.

I wouldn't say two weeks but I know for sure they can skip it for about a week. My lo just had a 4 day traffic jam and it started moving when dh is not around lol! If your lo has a good amnt. of wet diapers you are ok. Cycle your lo's legs and gently push bent knees towards baby's belly, it helps move things along. Tummy time helps as well.

I wouldn't say two weeks but I know for sure they can skip it for about a week. My lo just had a 4 day traffic jam and it started moving when dh is not around lol! If your lo has a good amnt. of wet diapers you are ok. Cycle your lo's legs and gently push bent knees towards baby's belly, it helps move things along. Tummy time helps as well.

When you ebf another way of knowing if supply is ok and baby is nursing effectively is by getting baby weighed after a feeding. I had this done by my lc a few days ago. She made sure I was latching on correctly as well. We are both doing great! Pumping output is not a very accurate way to know if supply is low because babies are more effective at getting milk than the pump. The way your baby behaves at the breast, feeling engorged, milk let-down, the frequency of nursing and so on are not ways to determine your milk supply either. If your baby is gaining weight and you ebf your supply is good. Some hospitals and breastfeeding groups offer free weightings for babies and free advise. Sometimes its worth the extra effort for your peace of mind.

When you ebf another way of knowing if supply is ok and baby is nursing effectively is by getting baby weighed after a feeding. I had this done by my lc a few days ago. She made sure I was latching on correctly as well. We are both doing great! Pumping output is not a very accurate way to know if supply is low because babies are more effective at getting milk than the pump. The way your baby behaves at the breast, feeling engorged, milk let-down, the frequency of nursing and so on are not ways to determine your milk supply either. If your baby is gaining weight and you ebf your supply is good. Some hospitals and breastfeeding groups offer free weightings for babies and free advise. Sometimes its worth the extra effort for your peace of mind.

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